BS L1: Biochemistry and Cell Organization

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Questions and Answers

Who is considered the 'Father of Modern Biochemistry'?

Emil Fischer

Carl Alexander Nuerberg (correct)

Wilhelm Friedrich Kuhne

J.B.Sumer

The lock and key mechanism of enzyme action was suggested by Rosalind Franklin.

False

What significant discovery about DNA did Watson and Crick introduce in 1953?

Double Helix Model

In 1828, Friedrich Wohler synthesized the first biomolecule: urea from __________.

ammonium cyanate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques was used by Sanger in 1955?

Protein sequencing Signup and view all the answers

Match the year with the corresponding discovery or event:

1828 = First biomolecule synthesized by Wohler 1944 = DNA proved as genetic material 1952 = First crystallography of DNA 1937 = Discovery of the Citric Acid Cycle by Hans Kreb Signup and view all the answers

The concept of cell-free fermentation was introduced by Eduard and Hans Buchner.

True Signup and view all the answers

What did Avery, McLeod & McCarty demonstrate in 1944?

DNA is the genetic material in bacterial cells. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about Friedrich Wohler's synthesis of urea in 1828?

It demonstrated that organic compounds could be synthesized in the laboratory. Signup and view all the answers

Health, as defined by the WHO, is merely the absence of disease.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the study of compounds containing carbon and hydrogen called?

Organic chemistry Signup and view all the answers

The widely accepted theory for the origin of the Universe is the __________.

big bang Signup and view all the answers

Match the following topics to their relevance in biochemistry:

Drug Metabolism = Processes converting drugs in the body Biochemical Foundations of Physiology = Basic biochemical processes in living organisms Biochemical Techniques in Immunology = Methods for studying immune response Enzyme Mechanisms = How enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT dependent on biochemistry?

Physical properties of metals Signup and view all the answers

The belief in unique vital forces for organisms was proven correct by Friedrich Wohler's work.

False Signup and view all the answers

How do biochemical approaches help in the field of medicine?

They are useful in diagnosing, predicting, and treating diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Which technique was introduced by Sanger and Gilbert in 1977 for studying DNA?

DNA sequencing Signup and view all the answers

Medical biochemistry focuses on the balance of chemical reactions necessary for human life.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of biochemistry?

To understand the chemical processes associated with living cells at the molecular level. Signup and view all the answers

Karry Mullis designed the __________ for in vitro DNA amplification.

PCR Signup and view all the answers

Match the following biochemistry terms with their descriptions:

Clinical Biochemistry = Deals with clinical diseases/pathological conditions Molecular Biology = Study of biological processes at the molecular level Enzyme Mechanisms = Investigates how enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions Drug Metabolism = Process by which the body modifies and eliminates drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the scope of biochemistry?

Explores chemical processes related to living organisms Signup and view all the answers

The historical belief in 'vital forces' was a widely accepted concept in 19th-century biology.

True Signup and view all the answers

__________ is essential to all life sciences as it combines biology and chemistry.

Biochemistry Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biochemistry and the Organization of Cells

Biochemistry explores the chemical processes within living organisms using laboratory techniques combining biology and chemistry.
It studies the molecular basis of vital life processes.
Clinical biochemistry deals with the chemical basis of human bodies and clinical diseases.

Historical Overview of Biochemistry

19th Century: Scientists believed in vital forces, but this theory was later disproven.
1828: Friedrich Wöhler synthesized urea, the first organic compound made from inorganic materials.
1878: Wilhelm Friedrich Kühn introduced the term "enzyme."
1897: Eduard and Hans Buchner introduced cell-free fermentation using yeast extract.
1903: Carl Alexander Neuberg is known as the "Father of Modern Biochemistry."
1919: Emil Fischer proposed the lock-and-key mechanism for enzyme action.
1928: J.B. Sumner showed that enzymes are proteins.
1930: Northrop and Stanley purified pepsin and chymotrypsin.
1937: Hans Krebs discovered the citric acid cycle.
1944: Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty proved DNA is the genetic material.
1952: Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins obtained the first crystallographic structure of DNA.
1953: Watson and Crick proposed the DNA double helix model.
1955: Sanger developed a protein sequencing technique, sequencing insulin.
1977: Sanger and Gilbert introduced the chemical and enzymatic DNA sequencing method.
1987: Kary Mullis designed the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method for in vitro DNA amplification.

Objective of Biochemistry

To understand the molecular basis of all chemical processes in living cells.
To isolate, determine structures, and analyze functions of molecules in cells.
Biochemistry is essential to all life sciences.

Scope of Biochemistry

Molecular Biology and Genomics, Immunology, Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and other biological science fields.

Biochemistry and the origins of life

Organic Chemistry focuses on carbon and hydrogen compounds
1. Friedrich Wöhler synthesized urea from inorganic materials.
Chemical elements essential for life - oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen
Big bang theory. The universe began with a cataclysmic explosion (big bang), and elements like hydrogen, helium, and some lithium formed early.
Stars, thermonuclear reactions, cosmic rays formed heavier elements.
Miller-Urey experiment: demonstrated how simple organic molecules could be formed under conditions similar to early Earth.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in biochemistry, including the chemical processes that govern life and the historical milestones in the field. You'll learn about the contributions of significant scientists from the 19th century to the 20th century and their impact on our understanding of biochemistry and clinical practices.